As a minority of Americans continue to resist COVID-19 vaccinations, the sharp rise in ICU hospitalizations raises an interesting question. Given that there is a free vaccine that is 99.9% plus effective, why should the vaccinated subsidize those who end up in the ICU because they refused to be vaccinated?
Healthcare Finance News reported last year that hospitalized care for COVID-19 averaged $34,662 to $45,683 depending on age and location. That cost is passed on to members of Blue Cross, Medicare, etc. to cover.
Why should I have to pay more in federal taxes or deepen the deficit for someone who refuses a free vaccine? I believe in freedom, but not if exercising your freedom will cost money and the lives of others.
I was raised by the adage to “put your money where your mouth is.” If you are “waiting for the science” (as if you would understand it) or just say “it is my choice,” don’t make me pay when you end up in the ICU. You should pay the bill because socializing hospital costs for the unvaccinated is unpatriotic and irresponsible.
And as for air travel, it should be limited to vaccinated people only. The unvaccinated are still free to travel to L.A. or Denver in their own car without a mask.
Most of the 3,715 reports of unruly passengers since the first of the year were unvaccinated anti-maskers. Plane violence will drop dramatically, and masks may not even be necessary if only the vaccinated and those with medical exemptions are on board.
After all, freedom isn’t free.
(Chuck Douglas is editor of The Bow Times.)